Chapter – 1 Introduction of Signal and System

1.1 SIGNALS AND CLASSIFICATION OF SIGNALS

A signal is a function representing a physical quantity or variable, and typically it contains

information. Mathematically, a signal is represented as a function of an independent variable t.
Usually t represents time. Thus, a signal is denoted by x(t).

A. Continuous-Time and Discrete-Time Signals:

A signal x(t) is a continuous-time signal if t is a continuous variable. If t is a discrete variable, that is,
x(t) is defined at discrete times, then x(t) is a discrete-time signal. Continuous time signal is
represented by x(t) and discrete time signal is represented by x[n].

(a) (b)
Fig. 1-1 Graphical representation of (a) continuous-time and (b) discrete-time signals.

We can also explicitly list the values of the sequence. For example, the sequence shown in Fig. l-
l(b) can be written as
x[n] = {..., 0,0,1,2,2,1,0,1,0,2,0,0 ,... } We use the arrow to denote the n = 0 term.

If arrow is not indicated then the first term corresponds to the n= 0 and x[n] will be zero for n<0.

B. Analog and Digital Signals:

If a continuous-time signal x(t) can take on any value from -∞ to + ∞ then the continuous-time
signal x(t) is called an analog signal. If a signal x(t) can take on only a finite number of distinct
values, then we call this signal a digital signal.

C. Deterministic and Random Signals:

Deterministic signals are those signals whose values are completely specified for any given time.
Thus, a deterministic signal can be modeled by a known function of time t . Random signals are
those signals that take random values at any given time and must be characterized statistically.

D. Even and Odd Signals:

A signal x(t) or x[n] is referred to as an even signal if

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 x(-t) = x(t)
x[-n] = x[n]
A signal x(t) or x[n] is referred to as an odd signal if
x(-t) = -x(t)
x[-n] = -x[n]
Any signal x(t) or x[n] can be expressed as a sum of two signals, one of which is even and one of
which is odd. That is,
x(t) = xe(t) + xo(t)
x[n] = xe[n] + xo[n]
Where xe(t) = { x(t) + x(-t)}
xo(t) = { x(t) - x(-t)}

(a) (b)

(c) (d)
Fig. 1-2 Examples of even signals (a and b ) and odd signals (c and d)

E. Periodic and Non-periodic Signals:

A continuous-time signal x(t) is said to be periodic with period T if there is a positive nonzero value
of T for which
x(t + T) = x(t) for all t
This definition doesn’t hold for the DC signal. For a DC signal x(t) the fundamental period is
undefined since x(t) is periodic for any choice of T.
Any continuous-time signal which is not periodic is called a non-periodic (or a-periodic ) signal.

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A sequence (discrete-time signal) x[n] is periodic with period N if there is a positive integer N for
which
x[n +N] =x[n] all n
Any sequence which is not periodic is called a nonperiodic (or aperiodic sequence).

Fig. 1-3 Examples of periodic signals.

F. Energy and Power Signals:

For a continuous-time signal x(t), the normalized energy content E of x(t) is defined as
∫ x(t)|2dt
The normalized average power P of x(t) is defined as
P ∫ x(t)|2dt
Similarly, for a discrete-time signal x[n], the normalized energy content E of x[n] is defined as
E ∑ x[n]|2
The normalized average power P of x[n] is defined as
P ∑ x[n]|2
Important notes:-
1. x(t) (or x[n]) is said to be an energy signal (or sequence) if and only if 0 < E < ∞, and so P = 0.
2. x(t) (or x[n]) is said to be a power signal (or sequence) if and only if 0 < P < ∞, thus implying that
E = ∞.
3. Signals that satisfy neither property are referred to as neither energy signals nor power signals.

1.2. Basic signals

A. Unit Step Function:

The discrete-time version of the unit-step function is defined by

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